James, Rachel Eva – Age 16, Truro. Rachel was insightful, witty and compassionate. She could cheer any gathering with her spirit and hilarious observations. She was genetically predisposed to want to lend a hand or find a way to make a person’s life better, whether by a donation, a generous tip or ruminating about the importance of bringing in a guaranteed annual income. Her observations and perspective always caused you to consider a situation or problem in a different way. Her witticisms were highly effective in bringing humility.
Our love affair with Rachel (Yun Ran) started in Changsha, Hunan on September 12, 2005, when she was placed into her mother’s arms amidst a crowded room for families being introduced to long-awaited children. It will continue forever, but on November 8, 2021, four days before her 17th birthday, her year long struggle to keep sight of who she was and her intrinsic value, ended. Her mother, Angela Dwyer; sister, Michele James and father, Dennis James are devastated by their loss, but are truly grateful for having shared Rachel’s life for sixteen wondrous years. Nothing was more comforting to Rachel than being surrounded by family, her dogs and her friends watching a movie or playing games that unleashed her complex and lively imagination. She loved to dance and fell in love with the Cobequid Dance Academy, its teachers and students. She had a passion and more than a knack for fashion and design. She enjoyed writing more than reading, and she valued teachers who could and would make a connection beyond the subject material at hand. The stand out favourite was Mr. Mullings, her Grade 6 teacher at Truro Junior as well as being her guidance counsellor at CEC.
In addition to her immediate family, Rachel is survived by her maternal grandparents, Charlie and Eva Dwyer; uncles and aunts, Michele (Dwyer) and John McDade, Jeff Dwyer, Graham James, Anne James, Rusty (David) and Gina James and Heather Sutherland. Rachel loved her cousins, Tyler, Lindsay and Darren James, Spencer and MacKenzie Dwyer, Shauna McDade and her seven “China cousins” who made a simultaneous journey from Hunan to Nova Scotia. She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Donald and Rachel James.
We ask that you not send flowers, but instead support the critical work of mental health professionals by donating to the Colchester East Hants Health Foundation or the IWK Foundation directed to mental health programs for adolescents. We are eternally grateful to the professionals within the Colchester East Hants Mental Health services and the Garron Centre at the IWK. They worked so hard and cared so much to help Rachel as she did her very best to reconnect to her beautiful soul. Thank you.
A Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 13th from 3 – 6pm in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro, NS. COVID-19 restrictions in place. Proof of full vaccination with ID required. A private family service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ColchesterCommunity.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rachel Eva James Monday November 8th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Truro, Province: Nova Scotia
Linda and I are shocked and so so sorry for this unfortunate death for a girl who died way before her time. Deepest sympathy to Angela, Dennis and Michelle at such a difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers for the loss of your beautiful Rachel.
My deepest condolences to Rachel’s family at this most sad time.